SERVICES

St. Peter's offers a very wide range of services during the week, some of which are held in the church, and some in the new St.Paul's chapel.

Anglican cloth

Changes in the Liturgy

You will no doubt have noticed that there have been some small changes to the Sunday 10:30 am liturgy in Lent and the Easter Season. First, I changed the Creed from the Nicene to the Apostle's Creed. The reason for the change in my mind is that the Apostle's Creed, the creed of our Baptism, is appropriate to the time when we focus on growing our individual spiritual life during these two seasons. It serves to remind us that we are called to 'remember' the promises made by us or for us at our Baptisms. Now that we are in the season of Pentecost, I am changing the Creed to that of the Council of Nicaea. The Nicene Creed, issued by the Council in the year 325 AD (anno domini - year of our Lord). The shift to this creed for the Pentecost / Trinity Season is to remind us that now, we, formerly a group of individuals, have been transformed into a community of people, the church, empowered by the Holy Spirit for God's work in the world at the time of the Feast of Pentecost. The Apostle's Creed, the creed we use at Baptisms, we will reserve for use at Baptisms and from Lent to Pentecost. I hope that this change has not been too confusing for you.

If you have questions about the liturgy or why we do what we do in worship, stay tuned for an "Instructed Eucharist" in the Fall where a commentary is offered during the service to help explain the different parts of the Sacred Liturgy.

Second, some of you have commented about the version of the Lord's Prayer in the Liturgy. We have been using during Lent and Easter seasons, the more modern translation of the Lord's Prayer. I wish that you had spoken to me about this sooner. It is not in my plans to wrest from your hands the prayers that give comfort and stability. It is simply my belief that from time to time we can look at and use more modern versions of the liturgy and its prayers. While I might like to keep it the same as what I am familiar with, I am also aware that there are newcomers who have no 'history' with the church and perhaps would be served by hearing words that are easier for them to understand. Once someone who is new to our way of worship begins to become more familiar, they are often able and willing to hear and participate in the liturgy in language that might not have suited when they arrived.

I hope these comments are of help. If you have questions please speak to me. Fr. Bryan+



Last Sunday after Epiphany

February 19th, 2012

TODAY'S READINGS

2 Kings 2: 1-12 tells how Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind into heaven.

Elijah is regarded as the greatest of the prophets. Elijah, representing all the prophets, appeared together with Moses to speak with Jesus at his Transfiguration as we hear in today’s Gospel. The fact that Elijah apparently did not die a natural death gave rise to the tradition that he would reappear to right the wrongs of Israel before the coming of the Messiah. Elisha was to succeed Elijah as the leader of the various “guilds” or communes of prophets who lived in various communities. Elisha begged to be granted Elijah’s spiritual power, and he was told that if he were to see Elijah departing in glory, he would inherit Elijah’s place. His faith enabled him to see the “chariots of Israel”, and in distress at his master’s leaving, he tore his garments.

Psalm 50: 1-6 is a liturgy of divine judgement. God “summons” the whole earth and the “heavens” to witness his legal judgement of the ungodly. They will be destroyed, but those who “honour” him, who walk in his “way”, will be rewarded with “salvation”, prosperity.

2 Corinthians 4: 3-6 is from Paul's statement that his ministry (and ours) is to show forth the light of the Gospel of Christ. There are those whose minds are veiled by unbelief and they cannot see "the glory of Christ who is the image of God". But God "has shone in the hearts" of those who do believe "to give (them) the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ".

Mark 9: 2-9 is Mark's version of Jesus' Transfiguration and glorification on the mountain. Jesus had been telling his disciples how he must suffer and die, but that by his sacrifice he will come to his glory. Now here on the "holy mountain" Peter, James and John, his most intimate disciples, are given a special insight into his glory. Perhaps we should be reminded of Mount Sinai where centuries before God had revealed himself to Moses. But here on this mountain, Moses, who represents the Law, and Elijah, who represents the Prophets, both fade away to leave Jesus alone and proclaimed by the voice from the cloud that he is the Beloved Son of God.

Hymns:


SUNDAY

8:30am

Eucharist

A traditional service of worship from the Book of Common Prayer, held in the Church each Sunday.
10:30am

Eucharist

A Family Service, from the Book of Alternative Services, held in the Church each Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. Church School is held during the Family Service for children of all ages.
4:00pm

Evensong

A traditional Prayer book choral service held in the church on the third Sunday of every month.
7:00pm

Shalom

A service of meditation on scripture, silence and prayer with laying on of hands for healing of mind, body and spirit held in the chapel on the first Sunday of each month.

WEEKDAYS

Tuesday
7:30am

Communion Service

The service follows the Book of Common Prayer and is held in the Chapel followed by breakfast.
Thursday 10:00am

Communion Service

From the Book of Common Prayer a service of Communion and Healing is held in the Chapel.


Special Services as announced

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Recessional 453 Living Lord of Love’s Dominion